Alfredo Pascual

Alfredo Pascual is the current secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a position to which he was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in June 2022.

An international development banker and leader from the academe, Pascual was president of his alma mater, the University of the Philippines, from 2011 to 2017. He holds a chemistry degree and a master’s degree in business administration from UP.

Pascual also held various positions at the Asian Development Bank from 1989 to 2008, including director for private sector operations and director for project finance. He was also president and chief executive officer of the Institute of Corporate Directors from 2018 to 2019. He had been an independent director for several companies, including SM Investments Corporation, Megawide Construction Corporation, and Concepcion Industrial Corporation.

Pascual was president of the Management Association of the Philippines at the time of his selection for the Marcos Cabinet post. In a February 2023 statement following the Commission on Appointments’ confirmation of his appointment, Pascual pledged to “build dynamic and strong industries through science, technology, and innovation.” He also vowed to “enhance the Philippines’ investment climate” as well as make micro, small, and medium enterprises or MSMEs “more productive, modern, and successful.”